Lexapro and Depression: What Users Say

• Flg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2020

For Depression "I started taking Lexapro 6 months ago at a 10mg dosage. The first few weeks, I was extremely sleepy and still depressed but slightly better. I knew it would get worse before it got better (I read lots of reviews) but slowly but surely, it started to work. I am exercising again and more social. I am in menopause and suffer from PTSD, and anyone who has suffered does not want that dark feeling again. After 5 months, my Dr. upped my dosage to 20 mg, and it has helped even more. This dosage lasts all day, and I just feel like my old self again. Be patient, Lexapro gave me my life back."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2020

For Anxiety "Was feeling terrible anxiety, it got really bad. I couldn’t stay asleep, was forgetting stuff, couldn’t concentrate, was losing my appetite and losing weight. I didn’t know what was wrong, so I went to the doctor for anxiety. She gave me Xanax, then I asked her to put me on something with it, and she gave me Lexapro 10mg. The first week was holy moly as it made the anxiety 10 times worse and I got depressed too. I read these posts, and they said to stick with it, as it gets better. It’s super slow, and I’m on week 7, and finally, I feel a lot better. It’s working, feel almost normal, and pretty much no more Xanax as I don’t need it. So anyway, it does take a lot of time, just stick it out."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2025

For Anxiety "I am 73 and have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for 18 months. It has been a game changer in my life. I wouldn’t stop taking it for a million bucks. I wish I had started taking it years ago. It has helped so much with my anxiety and minor depression. I thought everyone felt like me, so I refused to face up to my mental problems, and I also didn’t want to “take pills.” My own mental condition fought against taking the drug. Boy, was I wrong! I actually tried it out of desperation and after reading many reviews. Two to three weeks after starting Lexapro, I was feeling much better. At two months, symptoms of anxiety and depression lifted. I now have a happy retirement, sleep better, and laugh more, thanks to Lexapro."

• Idk...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 4, 2019

For Depression "I don’t want to get into detail with my experience. I read so many positive comments about this drug. All I can say, if you plan to be on this drug your whole life, then okay. But when it’s time to get off, you will have the worst withdrawals for over 6 months easily, anger, suicidal thoughts, deeper depression than when you first started. Can’t work, can’t have sex, everything stopped working. I took it for 15 years, this has been the roughest year by far mentally from getting off this drug. Been taking natural vitamins... I’m just a person that trusted my doctor to help me feel better and it did. But they can’t help you when it’s time to get off, they will just put you on something else. Long-term damage. I can relate to all of you going through this. And the longer you take it, the harder it will be to get off. I've been off it for about 6 months after 15 years, I’m still working to get better, everyday is hard. Just sharing my opinion."

• Joh...
• August 29, 2021

For Depression "Like all of you, I read every review on the drugs I have been prescribed. It helps on those really bad days to hear someone has been helped. I was put on Lexapro 20 years ago after a run of deaths in my family and on the fire department. My doctor explained it like this: you have a natural immunity to bad events, but if you experience too many too quickly, you may not be able to return to normal by yourself. After 20 years, I began to feel emotionally numb. I weaned myself off Lexapro 20mg, thinking I could deal with things myself. Then COVID hit, and a run of bad life events again. After the worst year and a half of trying different antidepressants, I'm back on Lexapro. It's only been a week and a half, but already I feel slightly better. Taking a medicine to improve your life experience is not a weakness, we are only here for a short time, try to enjoy it as much as possible."

• Tri...
• January 26, 2021

For Anxiety "Omg, Lexapro has seriously saved my life. I had tried Effexor before it, and the side effects were so bad that I had a mini seizure. I was so afraid to try another drug that I almost didn't take the Lexapro. I'm so glad I did though. I have never felt this free of anxiety. I used to get literally paralyzing panic attacks and endless days of crying over anxiety sparked by freakin' nothing. I can live my life now, and I feel so inspired to be creative again. I will never go back. Don't get me wrong, I still have anxiety at times, but it doesn't just sit all day with me or trigger depression anymore."

• Bow...
• January 12, 2015

For Depression "I was tired all the time. Everything stressed me out. I was very negative. I found fault in most things. I was irritable most of the time. My thoughts raced with negativity most of the time. I withdrew socially a lot because other people upset me most of the time. I lacked compassion for other people most of the time. I felt like life was worthless. Lots of trouble concentrating at work. Trouble sleeping. More depressed in winter time. These problems progressively got worse as I got older. The doctor gave me Lexapro. I noticed some changes the 1st day I took the medicines but it took a little over 4 months to take its full effect on me. I'm almost exactly opposite of who I used to be now. Lexapro changed my life."

• Mii...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

For Anxiety "The first couple of weeks I had nausea but it went away! I had anxiety & depression. I’ve been taking for about 4-5 months. This pill has changed my life. I get excited about a sunny day. I have for the first time in 6 years made new friends and the color is back in the world for me. I used to be very underweight like 40kg and hated food, to gaining 10kg in 4 months and enjoying food & loving my body. After a couple of months on this pill, I just noticed “hey I don’t cry at the bottom of the shower anymore”. Things are better. I hope this helps someone out there."

• Kma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I promised I would come here & write a review if I experienced any form of relief on Lexapro. When at my absolute rock bottom, I would spend hours reading reviews begging & pleading for any semblance of hope during such a horrifically dark time. I was POSITIVE with every fiber of my being that it wouldn’t work for me & that I would be a shell of myself - anxious, panicky with doom dread & hopelessness forever. I was certain of it. The first 4 weeks were absolutely brutal. I held on by a thread as my body adjusted to the medication. I had morning dread, nausea, zero appetite, anxiety, hopelessness + more. I started feeling relief at 4 weeks almost exactly. I had to use lorazepam to sleep during this time and am weaning slowly off now, but at 8 weeks on Lexapro I feel 10000x better. I cope now. I get through the day with little to no anxiety, and little to no depression. It took around 6 weeks to get what I would say is relief & I am SO grateful. I am so much better now!!"

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2022

For Anxiety "I wanted to wait and write my review. First off, I want to tell the people who wrote their experiences, thank you. When I started my journey on Lexapro, I would sit in my bed crying, rereading the reviews over and over to comfort me. I thought I was stuck for life. Each morning, I would coach myself to take the pill and get through the day. I experienced anxiety, depression, and terrible intrusive thoughts. I started low and slow at 2.5 mg, now I’m fixing to start 20 mg. It’s a hard journey in the beginning, but stay strong and stick with it. I didn’t think this drug would work, I questioned it so much in the beginning. Thanks to God, my doctors/therapist, my family/friends, and this drug, it will forever change my life. All the comments that tell you to wait it out and to just give it time, I have to say, were true for me. Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If not this drug, there are others. Keep fighting, take care."

• Bex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2021

For Anxiety "I thought I could cope without antidepressants & wasted many years of my life struggling with stress & anxiety. After an extremely stressful event, I eventually 'crashed' & could no longer function. I couldn't eat, had terrible restlessness, I felt like I was detached from everyone & everything, I couldn't focus, I was confused, not sleeping at all most nights & depression hit hard. I had no choice but to begin medication immediately. The initial side effects of Cipralex wore off after about 2 weeks. My appetite returned, I began sleeping again & I felt calm. The side effects were minimal & were a small price to pay for the benefits of the medication. I was on 10mg for 14 months & tapered off gradually over 4 months. I had discontinuation symptoms of anxiety & insomnia for a few days but it's now been 2 weeks since stopping completely & I'm feeling great!"

• Bet...
• April 30, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lexapro for a few years. I LOVE IT! Without it, I get depressed and feel a constant sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. I have frequent panic attacks that feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest, and my mood swings? LEGENDARY. Lexapro saved me. I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and panic attacks. Those should be enough, but I also had cancer and a miscarriage. So the depression, which has always been a thing, became a major problem. After finally having a child, the mood swings, another something that was always a thing, became horrific. No one could stand me. I've been on Lexapro since about 2010, and I have never felt better. I don't just exist. I live now."

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was very resistant to the idea of taking meds, but somehow lived with crippling anxiety for over 10 years that affected my friendships, family connections, and ability to have a meaningful relationship. A year ago I tried Prozac and it made me have suicidal thoughts and the startup effects didn't disappear after 8 weeks. Then 3 months ago I bit the bullet and tried Lexapro. Let me tell you that any doctor who says you will be fine after 2 weeks doesn't know what they are talking about. The startup effects are brutal... sickness, increased anxiety, depression. I couldn't leave bed. However, 6-8 weeks later all these effects subsided and now 3 months+ in it's the best I've ever felt. This is a game-changer for someone who has suffered anxiety for over 10 years. Next... dedication towards therapies (recommend ACT, excellent framework to building up resistance to anxiety and minimizing its impact on your life). Stick with it... 6-8 weeks of pain is nothing compared to months, years of feeling great."

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on Paxil for 5 years before switching to Lexapro due to unwanted side effects (loss of sex drive, anhedonia, night sweats, and hand tremors). Lexapro has proven to be just as effective as Paxil in controlling my anxiety/panic disorder, with nearly none of the side effects that Paxil caused!"

• sar...
• May 7, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine is great! It helps so much with my major anxiety and depression. The only reason I didn't give it a full 10 stars is because one time I stopped abruptly, and the side effects were pretty bad. But this isn’t something you should ever do because of physical and mental side effects, and so it was my fault, not the drug. Definitely talk to your doctor before stopping, unlike I did!"

• sar...
• May 7, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine is great! It helps so much with my major anxiety and depression. The only reason I didn't give it a full 10 stars is because one time I stopped abruptly, and the side effects were pretty bad. But this isn’t something you should ever do because of physical and mental side effects, and so it was my fault, not the drug. Definitely talk to your doctor before stopping, unlike I did!"

• Clj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Depression "My doctor put me on 10 mg of generic Lexapro probably a year ago. I saw no change in mood, and anxiety attacks continued regularly. Two months ago, she increased my dosage to 20 mg. After about 1 1/2 months, I noticed a horrible decline in my personality. I was sad constantly, anxiety increased, and I had dark thoughts, which included suicidal thoughts. I started cutting, felt an increase in anger where I was throwing things, banging my head on the wall, and began drinking again after 4 1/2 years of sobriety. Taking this dosage is the only thing that has changed in my life, all other stresses are the same. I called my doctor and said I wanted off of this medication completely. She didn’t feel that I had given the new dose enough time. I don’t care. I’m getting off of it, so I am in the process of decreasing the dosage and hope to be off of it completely within 3 months max."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2013

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Midlife generalized anxiety disorder. Prescribed Lexapro 5 weeks ago and it's finally working. I feel normal for the 1st time in years. 4 weeks of anxiety and flat emotions. But the flat feeling is normal, not the excessive swings in feelings and mood that often cause great anxiety. Things don't bother me so much now, and the racing thoughts don't cause much problem. Just stop them or write them down and don't feel overwhelmed by things to do. Lexapro is a real lifesaver, just wish I'd been able to try it several years ago, the Bipolar misdiagnosis really caused problems. Anyone thinking about giving up this medicine during the 1st few weeks, stick it out, I did and it's a miracle!"

• Kod...
• November 27, 2014

For Depression "I dealt with anxiety and depression for several years. I had high social anxiety and found pleasure in isolation and darkness. I started on one SSRI, but the side effects turned me into another person completely. I experienced emotional, spiritual, and creative numbness, weight gain, and overconfidence. So I got off of it because I wasn't myself anymore. I tapered off of that, and then I got on Lexapro, and it immediately took care of my depressive symptoms and anxiety. I bumped up to 20mg after a couple of months, and I am perfectly back to normal. I feel like myself. No side effects at all! I highly recommend Lexapro. Just be patient and wait it out."

• tae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is my second time being on Lexapro. The first time I got on it, it was hard. The first 2 weeks were tough, I had more anxiety and bad depression. I was scared, but after 4 weeks, I felt good. I could go out, I forgot what it felt like. I thought I was cured until I stopped taking it. The withdrawals were bad. I got back on it, but had to start over. I don't know if this is a forever drug, but it saved me. It saved me a lot. I know your anxiety is bad and you just started, hold on. I'm telling you, it will help."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

For Anxiety "Want to share my experience, because reading these reviews helped me go through the darkest moments. GAD + insomnia, now on Lexapro 20 mg (started from 10 mg), take it in the morning, cognitive-behavioral therapy, 1.2 months. I finally feel good and sleep without sleeping pills (still waking up several times per night, but I’m able to fall asleep again). So for everyone who just started: it may be better! The first couple of weeks I had diarrhea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and weeks 2 and 3 drove me insane - I had constant anxiety, fears, panic, painful muscle tension in the whole body, my vision was blurred, I couldn’t focus at all, was restless, couldn’t sleep (sometimes even with pills), had the darkest thoughts, felt hopeless, had to quit my job, couldn’t communicate with people. But week 4 brought me a breath of fresh air, my mind step by step cleared, I’m almost calm and feel more confident that I can manage anxiety, starting to search for a new job soon."

• Lex...
• February 8, 2013

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Started Lexapro 5 weeks ago for General Anxiety Disorder. After going through the anxieties for 3 weeks, and then feeling emotionally flat for about a week plus, things just started getting better. The worrying thing about and obsessing over the medication's 'mental' side effects eased off. It's easier now to take things as they come, talk and interact with others, and I feel at peace with myself for the first time in years! Anyone considering stopping this medicine during the 1st few weeks, give it time, it actually does get better. I nearly stopped but kept with it, and now I'm actually happy again! Everyone is saying it's nice to see me smile again."

• Unk...
• November 22, 2019

For Depression "My experience, unfortunately, was very unsettling. The first few days were okay, although I instantly noticed a decrease in concentration. Then I started to notice my depression becoming worse, and anxiety went through the roof. I started to become consumed by negative thoughts and couldn’t seem to come down from being angry or sad about some things I couldn’t even pinpoint. I thought maybe I could handle it for a week, but then, as symptoms increased, I decided I had had enough because it started to interfere with my relationship and made certain feelings I had more exaggerated and uncontrollable. I instantly called my psychiatrist, and I was told to ease off the medication. It’s been about a week, and I thought I was okay but had another breakdown last night over something minuscule and reacted in a way I normally wouldn’t. The ability to bring yourself out of depression or consumed negative thoughts on this product is impossible."

• Emm...
• July 22, 2019

For Anxiety "Since about the age of 3, I had severe obsessive thoughts (counting, tapping, clicking my teeth) and constant fears. Obviously, back in the 70s and 80s, there wasn't much awareness regarding childhood mental health! I was told to sit still and learn to cope! It wasn't until my 40s and suffering from debilitating panic attacks (ambulance rides, ER visits) that I finally decided I would try medication. Short-term meds like Xanax make me depressed, so I wanted something daily. Wow. What a difference Lexapro has made for me! Certainly, there was an adjustment period, but after nearly a year (and also having to work with the med), I am an entirely new person! No more obsessive counting or tapping, zero panic attacks. I almost had to grieve for a piece of me that is now gone. The only possible downside is that I'm not as obsessive with cleaning or my daily responsibilities (I may put things off a day or so), BUT I'll take the good with the bad as long as I don't have panic attacks!"

• LBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2019

For Anxiety "I switched to Lexapro from Zoloft because the Zoloft seemed like it was not working and making me gain weight. Lexapro is working much better for anxiety/depression. Also seems like it may be easier to lose weight. Does not feel strange when I have a few drinks in moderation. Potential downsides: sometimes can feel apathetic/empty of emotions. Urge to eat (all SSRIs). Overall, would highly recommend, especially for those with crippling anxiety."